Today is my first day as the new Chief Executive of the Ramblers and I wanted to introduce myself.
I have worked for charities and campaign groups for more than 20 years, starting at Friends of the Earth in 1991. During that time I have been fortunate to hold senior management positions in Amnesty International and Greenpeace International and to have been Director of the World Development Movement. For the past two years I have worked as a consultant on strategic programmes with a number of high profile charities including ActionAid, Friends of the Earth, and UNICEF UK while studying for a Masters.
On a personal note I was raised near Preston in Lancashire but now live in Surrey on the border with Kent; close to the Greensand Way, Vanguard Way and North Downs.
I’m delighted to be joining the Ramblers, whose campaigns have done so much to protect our right to access Britain’s countryside and footpaths. This is a critical time for the organisation when the successes we have achieved are threatened by changes to the way we see and use the countryside. As a keen walker myself I hope we will continue to introduce the joys and benefits of walking to the many people who are not aware of the opportunities on their doorstep.
I’m looking forward over the next few months to getting to meet many of you in person. I’ll be attending the Kent area AGM this Saturday 4th if you live in Kent and are free.
I’ll be blogging and tweeting so please keep an eye on the Ramblers website (www.ramblers.org.uk) Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ramblers) and Twitter page(https://twitter.com/#!/BenedictSouthWO) for all the latest walking news and updates.
Benedict Southworth
Chief Executive
1 February 2012
